HARD-working youngsters on a Southampton estate were devastated to find vandals had ripped up their gardening project.

Children from the 521 scheme in Northam spent two days planting flowers outside their community centre. The louts pulled up the plants and stole them.

Youth club leaders have branded the incident "disgusting" and said they may now struggle to find cash to continue with the project.

Sally White, 521 co-ordinator, said: "The kids are so disappointed. They worked for two whole days on it, really hard, from morning until the evening. A lot of kids from the new houses that have been built around the community centre were involved in the project too.

"Parents brought children as young as three along and it was a really good way to welcome the new families and become friends. This is so upsetting."

The youth club project was launched 11 years ago to help keep youngsters off the streets and provide useful activities.

Mrs White said: "A lot of parents don't like their children going out at night so they know this is a safe place for them to come to. For this to happen has left a lot of people so disappointed.

"We were planning to do some more planting in the area but we will have to see if we can afford it now."

p Any firms or organisations who can help replace the plants should call the community centre on 023 80 225 083.